The KAIZEN approach to sustainability- let’s get better at getting

betterDaniel Palomo

Director of Global Salesdpalomo@visithouston.com

Environmental Performance• Energy and Emissions: The City’s Greenhouse gas emissions

is 34,270,788 metric tons of CO2e. City of Houston does not have a climate change action plan.• Waste: 80% of the city’s total energy usage is derived from renewable sources. The City disposes of approximately 74 % of the material it collects in a landfill; the remaining 26% is diverted to recycling, reuse and composting operations.• Air quality: The city’s annual ambient outdoor air pollution

level (PM10) is 21.• Green Areas: There are 52,915 park acres within the city

limits which equals approximately 2,450 acres per 100,000 people.

Social Performance

Supplier Performance: Hotel

Supplier Performance: Airport

Supplier Performance: Venues

• Green Meetings at the GRB• The George R. Brown Convention Center earned LEED Silver

Certification for an existing building in 2011 and is completing our renewal for 2016 to assess building performance and meeting sustainability goals.

• The facility saves energy, minimizes water usage, reduce CO2 emissions, recycle waste materials, maintain high standards for indoor environmental quality.

• We Recycle at the GRB• Our sustainability initiatives focus in the areas of: Recycling ; Waste

Reduction and diversion; Energy Conservation; Water Quality and Consumption; Air Quality and Community.

• We recycled over 530 tons of recycled materials at the GRB in 2015 and over 300 tons of cardboard annually.

Supplier Performance: Venues

• GRB Environmental Report

Houston First has a Sustainability Manager

Green Features

Sustainability Manager – Houston First / GRBCCSUMMARY• Unified sustainability strategy for HFC and all managed facilities. Important issues to

address include energy use, water conservation, recycling, transportation choices, building design, and staff education.

JOB DESCRIPTION• Coordinate and implement sustainability initiatives for Houston First that fit within the

business model and strategic goals of the Houston First.• Plans, organizes, and directs all aspects of environmental sustainability program

development and implementation, as well as oversight of project design, development, and technical research/analysis, scheduling, project budgeting, project performance metrics, and performance measures to ensure consistency with the Houston First’s expectations.

• Leads Houston First’s cross-functional sustainability committee meetings.• Directs on-site zero waste initiative with clients, staff, vendors, and contractors to

ensure maximum diversion rate is met effectively;.• Meets with and explains sustainability policies, procedures, and opportunities to

clients and prospective clients and responds to requests for information regarding program activities or requirements.

• Leads sustainability tours and establishes relationships with clients and other stakeholders (including non-profits, academia, civic organizations, governmental agencies, and hospitality groups) in order to communicate, promote, and develop sustainability program and regional environmental stewardship.

Sustainability Manager – Houston First / GRBCC• Leadership in external programs, such as participation in the US Green Building Council,

ICCC/IAVM, convention center sustainability conference calls.• Coordinate activities that cross department lines of control and provides expertise,

consultation, information, and technical assistance to other departments,• Technical research and assistance of new sustainability opportunities and

technologies (including on-site renewable energy, electric vehicle charging stations, commute and transportation alternatives, etc.)

• Compliance with codes, ordinances, regulations, including but not limited to, LEED certification, APEX/ASTM Green Meetings Standards, EPA regulations, and OSHA.

• Evaluates facility and organizational operations status for LEED and APEX/ASTM Green Meetings Standards certification purposes,.

• Serves as spokesperson and advocate for Houston First in areas of environmental stewardship and provides sustainability presentations for training and education.

• Develops and oversees PR, marketing, and sales campaign to strategically brand and communicate sustainability efforts.

• Provides on-going inspection of facilities, operations, and procedures from a sustainability perspective.

• Plans and conducts program outreach and promotional activities for sustainability program and coordinates participation in sustainability events such as Earth Day and America Recycles Day;

• Ensures waste and recycling equipment is maintained; Recommends ordering supplies, materials, and equipment as needed; Represents Houston First sustainability in bids for and execution of large, city-wide events such as Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, or other events as requested.

• Sustainability Manager – Houston First / GRBCC

• Job Location: George R. Brown Convention Center / Convention District

• Job Title: Sustainability Manager

Examples• We partnered with the NCAA

Final Four Houston 2016 E-Waste Recycle Day• As you know the final four was held

here in Houston 2016. HFC was part of the Sustainability. The NCAA wanted the committee to come up with a project around recycling. The committee came up with the idea of an e-waste event. The event was a success. The event was held on NCAA Selection Sunday in Discovery green. The purpose of the event was to collect electronics to restore of reuse of their parts and divert from the landfill. It was a huge success and a great partnership with HFC and the GRB. Participated in Green Week Sustainability Challenge in celebration and recognition of Earth Day

Examples• Green Week Sustainability Challenge

• Earth Day is an annual event, celebrated on April 22, on which day events worldwide are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It was first celebrated in 1970, and is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network and celebrated in more than 193 countries each year.

• On Earth Day 2016, the landmark Paris Agreement is scheduled to be signed by the United States, China, and some 120 other countries. This signing satisfies a key requirement for the entry into force of the historic draft climate protection treaty adopted by consensus of the 195 nations present at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris.

• During the month of April HFC and GRB held an earth week event. Where staff was encourage to be more sustainable at work. Some employees took public transportations, rode their bikes and others recycled more. It was a successful event.

CVB Performance: Client Support• The CVB provides information about the destination’s

sustainability features, suppliers and best practice.

• Basic info: GRB http://www.grbhouston.com/planners/green-facts/green-at-the-brown-facts/• Guides & Manuals: The New Houston: From Industrial to Green

Revolutionhttps://www.visithoustontexas.com/about-houston/green-houston/the-new-houston/• Green Transportationhttps://www.visithoustontexas.com/about-houston/green-houston/transportation/• Supplier List:

https://www.visithoustontexas.com/about-houston/green-houston/• Best Practice: http://www.greenhoustontx.gov/index.html

CVB Performance: Client Support

• The CVB provides resources to support the local community

• GHCVB has worked with Global Food Banking Network• GRBCC has a charitable giving program in partnership with

Aramark, donated over 12,000 meals to local charitable organizations• Habitat for Humanity to give away lumber and leftover material

donated to local charity and community• The City Gardens and Farmers Market Initiative supports urban

gardens and markets: the City has planted numerous new vegetable gardens (some of which are highlighted in First Lady Michele Obama’s book, American Grown) and, with it’s partner Urban Harvest, has encouraged the sale and purchase of local food by starting a weekly farmers market at City Hall, with over 40 vendors.

Conclusions• Importance of joining a Global Sustainability benchmark validated by leading international associations.• Opportunity to work with leading destinations willing to share

best practices on Sustainability to shorten our learning curve• Focus on short term variables that we can control to maximize

impact immediately• Maximize ROI by working with experts on the field supported

by a strong global network that allows access to vast resources• Roadmap to create a Destination Sustainability Policy prioritizing

business development opportunities for HFC and DMO.• Opportunity to educate DMO members about green (ethical)

standards and impact on their business activity• Maximize the number of international association meetings

Quote“We are extremely pleased that Houston is the first

North American destination to be included on the GDS Index. In joining this community, HFC seeks to exchange sustainability practices with its global counterparts to improve performance, competitiveness and continuously meet higher standards. That reflects our commitment to embrace stronger sustainability programs that benefit clients, suppliers and the local industry.”

Dawn Ullrich President & CEO Houston First Corporation

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